FAQ’s
Where can I find lost property?
Lost property will be stored in the prep room (840 Owen). It will only be stored until the end of each semester.
How to I find out which lab my practical class is in?
There is a lab map posted each week on Level 8 Owen in the lift lobby by the main passenger lifts and the goods lift at the other end of the corridor. The poster details where each lab group and practical session will be running.
How do I get a lab coat?
Students should collect a lab coat from the Students Union when they start at university and they should bring this to every lab class.
Researchers in the BMRC will be provided with a lab coat when they start, as will visitors to the department.
What if I forget to bring my lab coat to my practical class?
Pink lab coats can be loaned from the technical team in 840 Owen for £2 for the day of the practical class. The £2 is donated to charity.
How do I get my risk assessment back?
Completed risk assessment forms should be handed into the Level 7 Owen, Biosciences and Chemistry helpdesk. Once they are processed they will go to the following places –
PhD students / researchers / post docs / Erasmus students – pigeon holes in 722 Owen,
MChem and MSci students – Level 7 Owen Helpdesk
Final year undergraduate project students – technical prep room, 840 Owen,
MSc project students – technical prep room, 840 Owen.
How do I get support on an instrument during a practical class?
Each practical has a member of the technical team dedicated to it and they will be able to help you during the day with specialist equipment. If they aren’t in the lab with you call into the prep room and ask for them or call the prep room on 0114 296 8998.
Practical classes are also supported by lab demonstrators who are in the class throughout the day; the lab demonstrator should be able to help you with most of your questions.
How do I get support on an instrument for research?
If you need training on a specialist piece of equipment please contact Karen Bailey-Smith (0114 225 3938), Kay Simmonite (0114 225 6103), Daniel Kinsman (0114 225 3076) to arrange this.
How do I get work experience in the labs?
The technical team take work experience students from local schools in the labs at various points during the year. In order to apply please contact us with your request and the dates you are interested in. Your request will be sent to the Work Experience coordinator within the team and they will send you the application form and any other information needed.
How do I get my personal phone charger or kettle for my office PATested?
Contact the Servicing Technician in 801 Norfolk.
How can I loan a piece of equipment?
We do not normally operate a loans system however, it is not totally out of the question. If you need to loan some equipment to use in the BMRC or in another department please contact us. We will need information about what you would like to borrow, the timescales and your experience in using the instrument.
There are a number of things the technical team will need to consider before agreeing to the loan, for example is the equipment available in your own department, is the equipment in use by a researcher or for the planned lab classes? Do you have the skills and knowledge to use it safely or do you need training? Is there a risk assessment for the activity?
How can I organise a widening participation event in the labs?
Please contact us if you want to run a session. We will liaise with you to plan the lab activities and booking of lab space. The academic contact within the department may also be involved.
Can I come and film in the labs?
Requests for filming in the labs need to be arranged around the timetabled practical programme and the activities you want to film need to be agreed and risk assessed to ensure they are safe. Please contact us with the details of your request.
Can I use the instruments in the teaching labs?
Instruments in the teaching labs can sometimes be used by members of the BMRC or other departments. Please contact us.
We will need to consider the availability of the instrument with respect to the teaching timetable, the length of time you will need to use the instrument, whether you have the skills and knowledge to carry out the work or whether you have a valid risk assessment covering the work.
Instruments in the teaching labs are available during normal working hours only, there is no lone working. Monday to Thursday 8.30am to 5pm and Friday 8.30am to 4pm.
What is the role of technical staff?
Technical staff carry out a wide range of activities which, as a whole, enable the labs to be safe environments to work in, with an excellent equipment base. The technical staff have the skills and experience to support state of the art instruments and to support the practical programme, enabling students to get hands on experience in the labs.
The technical team will work with the academic staff to develop and timetable practical classes to ensure they are up to date and fit for purpose with accurate lab protocols. They will provide in class support in the form of demonstrations, training sessions or technical support for various techniques. BMRC users also receive ‘at shoulder’ support and training when using instrumentation.
Technical staff support the infrastructure of the teaching labs and BMRC to enable them to keep running. Some of the duties include glass washing, autoclaving, equipment maintenance, servicing and calibration, provision of gases, reagents, consumables and equipment, housekeeping checks, support of health and safety systems and processes, chemical management and segregation, support of the risk assessment and quality systems, management of controlled substances, radiation and other licence requirements.
The technical team have a broad skill base and members often have an area of expertise. The team continually work to develop new skills or techniques to ensure they are able to support a wide range of equipment, techniques and new technologies.
If you need further information about please contact us.
How do I place an internal order in stores?
There is an internal order form on the Q:Drive for BMRC students to use. Complete this and post in the envelope on the stores door (720 Owen). You should collect your order from stores the following day, see the opening times on the door. If you are collecting hazardous materials you must have your risk assessment with you or the item will not be released from stores.
How do I place an external order?
New starters will need to be trained and set up on the E5 system, this will take place as part of the induction. Once trained, individuals should place orders on the E5 system. All orders go through budgetary authorisation and then technical authorisation (to ensure that we have the correct licences to hold the item).
You will receive an email from stores when your item has arrived, please collect it at the next available opening time. Opening times are on the stores door (720 Owen). If you are collecting hazardous materials you must have your risk assessment with you or the item will not be released from stores.